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Saturday, 18 February 2017

446) i) “The Golden Age of Finnish Art”: A 10 Euro Silver coin with the aforementioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - “The Age of Iron and Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe”, issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) “Europa Coin Programme” or the “European Silver Programme” or the “Eurostar Programme”:

446)
i) “The Golden Age of Finnish Art”: A 10 Euro Silver coin with the
aforementioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - “The Age of Iron and
Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe”, issued by the Mint of
Finland on 20.02.2017:

ii)
“Europa Coin Programme” or the “European Silver Programme” or the “Eurostar
Programme”:

The Golden Age of Finnish Art:

The Romantic-Nationalism
Movement which dominated Finnish Art in the late 19th and early
20th Centuries (1880-1910) is known as “the Golden Age of Finnish Art”.

The artists dominant in Finland
during this Era drew inspiration for their masterpieces from Finnish
folklore – the “Kalevala” – Finland’s
Epic National Saga, in particular.

One of the Golden Age’s
crowning moments was experienced at the “Exposition
Universelle” held in Paris in 1900.

The Finnish Pavilion
designed by Eliel Saarinen, Herman Geselius and Armas Lindgren was unveiled at
the Fair, and exhibited the masterpieces of Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931),
remembered in Finland as the illustrator of the “Kalevala” and other renowned Finish artists.

One of Gallen-Kallela’s
works on display was a “ryijy” rug –
a decorative type of rug unique to Finland – titled “Liekki” (meaning “Flame”).

“The
Golden Age Collector Coin”:

The Reverse of "The Golden Age of Finnish Art" 10 Euro Silver coin together with an illustration of “Liekki” or
“Flame”, a Finnish rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (in 1899), displayed
at the Finnish Pavilion in the Paris exposition (1900).

The Mint of Finland will
be issuing a new silver coin on 20.02.2017 (pre-booking of the coin
has commenced on 23.01.2017). The design focuses on the “Golden Age of
Finnish Art”.

The Golden Age Collector
Coin pays tribute to this moment of greatness of Finnish Art. This Collector
coin is part of the Prime Minister’s Office’s programme for the Centennial
celebrations of Finland’s Independence.

The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin is framed by bear
heads in the manner of the Pavilion’s entrance. Just below the bear heads pattern on top is mentioned "KULTAKAUSI GULDALDERN" (meaning "The Golden Age of Finnish Art").

Patterns from the “Liekki” (Flame) “ryijy”, a decorative type of rug unique to Finland, designed by
Gallen-Kallela for the Pavilion have been struck in the centre of the coin’s
Reverse, with the bear heads positioned all along the Coin’s periphery are
design motifs.

An illustration of “Liekki” or
“Flame”, a Finnish rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (in 1899), displayed
at the Finnish Pavilion in the Paris exposition (1900). The rug is presently
kept at the Museum of art and Design, Helsinki.

The bear heads around the
Pavilion’s entrance

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver coinincludes the standard
design that all Europa Star coins display. The centre of the coin depicts the
Star of the Europa Series, extracted from the Europa Star Coin Programme’s
logo/emblem. Finland’s National insignia is featured in the centre with the
year of issue “2017” towards the centre right periphery. Along the upper
periphery the inscription reads “EUROPAN AIKAKAUDET EUROPEISKA EPOKER” (in
Finnish meaning “Ages of Europe – Europa Star Programme”). Below this
inscription is inscribed “SUOMI FINLAND” (Mint of Finland). On the lower bottom
is the Europa Star emblem.

This Collector coin is
part of the “Europa Star Programme” in which European countries release
coins with a shared theme. The 2017 theme is “the Age of Iron and
Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe” – a five year programme
which commenced in 2016. This coin has also been granted the “Key Flag of the
Association for Finnish Work”.

The
Specifications of the 10 Euro Silver coin issued under the Europa Star
Programme are:

Denominational
Value: 10 Euros

Metallic
Composition: Ag 925 or .925 Silver

Diameter:
33.0 mm

Weight:
17.0 grams

Coin
Quality: Proof

Year
of Minting: 2017

Mintage:
10,000 pieces (100 pieces are numbered
on the Obverse – the numbered Golden Age collector coins are being presented in
a protective glass case. These
are being delivered on a first ordered, first served basis, beginning from the
smallest number).

Designer:
Erkki Vainio

Issue
Date: 20.02.2017

"The Golden Age of Finnish Art" numbered coin in a protective glass cover (100 coins)

Finland
100 Programme:

All collector coins
released by the Mint of Finland during 2017 are part of the “Finland 100 Programme” which celebrates
Finland’s Centennial or 100 years of Independence.

The other silver coins
being released this year celebrate the Finnish tango, mothers, Finland’s nature
etc. The coins also highlight the achievements and challenges of Finland’s
history of independence, which will also be launched as part of the “Europa Star
Programme”.

Europa
Coin Programme:

The Europa Coin Programme
is an initiative dedicated to issuing of collector coins, in precious metals
which celebrate European identity.

Coins under this series
are issued by the European Union’s Eurozone member States and the issuing
authorities of European Union member countries voluntarily contribute coins to
the Europa Coin Programme.

The
Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries and common
history or cultural ties.

Several countries have
taken part in this programme, since its inception in 2004.

Some coins are denominated
in Euros, while others are denominated in other currencies. These coins are all legal tender.

The
Eurostar logo:

The Eurostar logo
is the special mark used on these coins which signify that they have been
issued under the “Euro Coin Programme”. The design of the logo is a stylised
combination of an “E” (for Europe or the Euro Symbol) and a “star” (often
used to symbolise a member nation, for example, on the EU Flag).

It
is a requirement that the coins must show the Eurostar distinctly and visibly
to the naked eye, but not be integral to the coin’s design.

Other
standard coin features for coins issued under the programme:

a)The
coins must be at least .900 fine silver and of Proof quality

b)The
coins should be approx “crown sized” which allows for national traditions and
customs

c)The
coins must show the Eurostar logo distinctly

The
themes over the past years for the Eurostar Programme coin issues:

2004 – EU Enlargement

2005 – Peace and Freedom

2006 – Distinguished
European figures

2007 – European
Realisation

2008 – Cultural Heritage

2009 – European Heritage

2010 – European
Architecture

2011 – European Explorers

2012 – European Visual
Artists

2013 – European Writers

2014 – European Composers

2015 – Anniversary of the
UNO

2016 – The Ages of Europe

This year’s theme for the
Europa Star Coin Series (2017) is “The Age of Iron and Glass” which is
part of a wider programme focussing on the “Ages of Europe”. The
five-year long, co-ordinated programme commenced last year (2016) and will conclude
in 2020.

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .